Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1887-11-10
WASHING ron LETTER.



WASHINGTON, Oct. 20, 1887.
Except tor an occasional national
to relieve the monotony,
Washington has been rather dull since
the adjournment of the short session
of Congress last spring; but now the
city is enlivened by the return of the
President, the Cabinet, and the STU
preme Court from their respective va
cations, as well as the near approach
Of the long session of Congress, which
will probably not close until both the
great political parties nominate their
candidates for the Presidency next
summer.
Therefore, the Federal Capital has
again assumed its normal as the grand
center of activity in news and politics.
And this fact is fully appreciated by
the argus-eyed representatives Of the
great journals of the country, who are
again gatherids in their old haunts on
newspaper row..
The President is scrutinizing the re-
ports of the several departments and
gaining therefrom the necessary in
formation of the condition and de-
mands of the public service, SO that
he may he enabled to prepare his an
nual message for the guidance OF Con-
gressiOnl legislation the coming session.
This work added to the regular rou-
tine Of executive business, much of
which has accumulated during the
Chief Magistrates long absence, will
engrOss his entire attention from now
until the meeting of the national salons
for the long talk.
Washington aspires to be a conven-
tiOn city, and is meeting with Halter
ing success in that direction. In ad-
ditiOn to two or three held this year.
two mOre-the American Eveng. lical
Alliance and the convention OF third
and fOurth-class pOstmasters will as
semble in this city in few wceks-,,nd
not content with these, the Capital
City is making u strong effort t., secure
ttbC .NsttbOtI0b q.
The American members OF the Fish
cries Commission have reached the
city, and their English associates are
early next week. Evidently
the negotiations will be conducted on
n gorgeous scale, for the High Joint"
has engaged thirty-two large rooms in
<ass.. 6sf tlsaa 6sas,.st { So
it's exclusive Use on his great occasion.
Lately there has been u great stir
on the civil service question, caused
10y the civil service commissioners
Mr.. Oberly in an inter
view, rOundly condemned the depart
ment clerks for being members of
partisan associations, and making
contributions for political purposes
taking the position that such action
was unlawful and making t he offenders
liable to fine, imprisonment, and dis
MIR. Lyman takes ground
equally advanced, but Mr.. Edyerton
the view of his colleagues,
and assumes n purely partisan stand
point. These grave differences OF
opinion, have become such n public
scandal that mlny believe the useful
ness Of the commission is Il thing OF the
past, and that it will have to be re-
before it can accomplish he
great reforms for winch it was designed.
The large number of cases lately ap-
pellesl form the State court to the
Supreme Court of the United States is
by some to be an alarming
tendency that may necessitate almost
Il complete revolution in American jur-
1t is especially feared that
wealthy criminals may avail them
selves OF this facility to virtually
block the wheels OF Justice, for orlin-
arilly the Supreme Court is three
years behind its business.
Many of the cases now before the
court are OF the gr;lvest importance,
the liquor trials from
Kansas, Iowa and GeOrgia, which in
vOlve the cOnstitutiOnality of state
prohibition, and the question whether
or not the states are pecuniarily re-
spOnsidle for the dest rlctiOn Of the
business of the liquor dealers; the
cases OF the Chicago anarchists now
being argued, and will probably be
decided long before this letter reaches
its destinations; and lastly, the Nir-
ginia contempt cases, which are set
for hearing in November.
Many Of the Congressman who are
now seeking quarters for the coming
winter find it difficult, as the saying
goes, to make both ends meet, as
good living and rent are high in Wash
ingt tOn-:hus Congress sinen whose in
comes are limited must cit her con-
serve all their salary on concurrent
expenses, or for the pleasures and
triumphs of the Capitals gay social
life. On the other hand. most OF the
wealthy members do not calculate on
saving anything out OF their salaries.
Death Il an Aeronaut